Dr. Tan Tsze Chor was a successful businessman and a renowned Chinese art collector. This portrait shows his identity as a traditional Chinese gentleman. Dr Tan’s early education in China laid the foundation for his knowledge of Chinese poetry and calligraphy. He established the first comprehensive collection of Chinese art in Singapore – Xiang Xue Zhuang Collection. His wide-ranging artistic interests – painting, ceramics, seal, ink stone, as well as his engagement with poetry and calligraphy, profoundly informed his personal and artistic endeavours.
